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While Extra Virgin was very much rooted in eccletic drum-n-bass beats, Trickle is more of a pop trip-hop affair .... one, i might add, composed beautifully. Ruth Ann's voice, once again, is deliciously palpable; I can think of few vocals as lucious and sweet as hers. The melodies in Trickle are more agreeable to airplay. Some may regard the new sound as more commercialized, but I humbly suggest these people are missing the finer points of this album. This is a marginally more up-beat album, and Olive makes no apologies for shedding some (note: not all) of the darker melodies of Extra Virgin. Their emotive expression has been perfectly preserved in slightly altered form; the lyrics of Trickle are more articulate, Ruth Ann's voice more refined, arrangements more calculated.

The bottom line is the beauty of Olive's first child is not lost on me with their new creation. Different? Without question (although not to the degree some reviewers here have expressed or implied). But Trickle must still be regarded as a beautiful album .... one that may likely appeal to a bigger audience then did Extra Virgin. Nothing wrong with that.


Either way, a great CD.   June 10, 2000
 9 out of 9 found this review helpful

Like most of the other reviewers of this album, I thoroughly enjoyed Olive's debut, "Extra Virgin," and I was very excited about their new one. "Trickle" grew on me quickly, and I find myself liking it immensely, at least as much as the first one.

I greet complaints that it is pop-infused and catchy with this comment: so what? If Olive is a little less out there than some of the other trip-hop/electronica groups, a little more normal and down-to-earth, maybe they have the power to make the genre more accessible to listeners. I still enjoy the adventurous ones, like Sneaker Pimps, but I don't think staying somewhat conventional is any reason to deminish Olive's excellent sophomore effort. Sneaker Pimps may be more adventurous, but their sophomore effort fell short of thier debut. Olive reprises well, building on the success of their debut to create a high-quality album.

If I could give this album 4 1/2 stars, I would, only because it lacks some of the unique dreaminess on the first album, like we heard in "Miracle," "This Time", and "Falling." It takes the direction of the more direct, catchy songs like "You're Not Alone" and "You Are Nothing." But my point is that while I enjoyed the ambient soundscapes on the first one, I also enjoyed the catchy ones.

Highlights on this album include "I'm Not in Love," "Liberty," "Push," and "Beyond the Fray." I also enjoy the other songs, and in general, find this to be an album I can listen to from beginning to end. It's fun to listen to. It's far from typical pop, and if it drifts close to synth-pop, that's fine with me.


Olive matures in its sequel album...   June 16, 2000
 7 out of 7 found this review helpful

As a (self declared) electronic music junkie, I instantly loved Olive's first album "Extra Virgin" because it's not just beats, you've got real melodies and real music with an almost club worthy rhythm. If you like any of Everything But the Girl's recent work, you will love Olive. This group isn't quite as deep into electronic percussion; Olive manages to bring out an array of musical and vocal melodies that are almost emotional, like that giddy sensation you have in anticipation of a first date, or that horrible knot in your stomach the day after a break-up. I know, that sounds a bit over the edge, but that's about how powerful Olive's combination of music, lyrics and vocals are. Just dim the lights, sit back and listen.

Olive's music is not plagued by the endless sequencer loop syndrome - instead they manage to blend real melodies, bass and rhythm into music while using the tools of a less sophisticated electronic genre. Add that to lyrics that actually speak of love, life and emotions delivered by a smooth sultry voice, and we're describing a CD I have not gotten tired of since the day I got it.

"Tickle" is musically, emotionally and technically a step forward from their first album. They have made a small and subtle move away from the electronic thing, by allowing the melodies to carry the music a bit more than in their first album; but there is just enough rhythm to keep the "house music" side of me at peace. This album has a few more ballads than the previous one, and you will not be disappointed by the variety of tempos and styles, from just shy of Drum & Bass to melodic groove. The production of this album is a real winner: the dynamics in this CD work seamlessly with the music in the creation of the experience, from gentle to forceful and back. I could go on, but I would be rambling. You get my drift: I am very pleased with my new CD. If you're thinking of buying this one and don't have Olive's first album, you should consider getting it.


Trickle down my senses   June 4, 2000
 5 out of 5 found this review helpful

Although their style becomes more manifest--that is minimalistic, straight-forwardly structured, coated with ethereal melodies, and morphing between trip-hop and drum & bass--the edge that made an explosion out of "Extra Virgin" is relinquished for a poppier, more mainstream agreeableness that's almost reminiscent of "Ex- Virgin" Madonna. At first, the album would likely lose, or even bore, the listeners with its songs seemingly built in similar fashions; however, hopefully it'll grow on you. Notable tracks include "Love Affair," "Trickle," "I'm Not in Love" (she is), "Smile" (wait 'til the middle, and you'll hear a cool bridge section), and "Push"--the best, in my humbleness.


TRICKLED DOWN TO A MERE DRIP.   July 13, 2000
 4 out of 9 found this review helpful

Olive last cd "Extra Virgin" was a 4 star electronic dance wizardry.....Now we have "Trickle" which is definitely that, a mere trickle of average electronic beats, and disco flash.

Their first single "I'm Not In Love" is at the top of the club play scene, however this is a remake of a classic, which shows no comparison to the original.

When a group comes out with a new album and their first single is a remake classic i.e. Ace of Base "Cruel Summer", you know you have a poor compilation on your hands if the first single cannot be original music.

The rest of the songs continue with the same mundane sound through the whole entire album with "Trickle", "Love Affair", etc. Unfortunately the dismal remake of the classic "I'm Not In Love" is the really only high point on this album.

I give it 2 stars instead of 1 because it is not absolute trash.

A fair CD at best, I say pick up "Extra Virgin" and skip this electronic bore.